Baby strollers

ABSTRACT

1. A collapsible baby stroller comprising a plurality of frames including an upper frame, a front frame and a rear frame, a hinge means for swingably connecting the upper ends of the front and rear frame to the upper frame in close proximity to one another in such a manner that the frames can be optionally folded from an erected position wherein the frames are disposed at predetermined angles with respect to one another to a collapsed position wherein the frames are presented in side-by-side relation, frame locking means for holding the frames in the erected position, a backrest hingedly mounted with respect to the frames, a backrest locking means for releasably holding the backrest at a predetermined angle with respect to the frames, a seat, a support means for holding the seat substantially horizontal when the frames are in the erected position, connecting links interconnecting the front and rear frame in spaced relation to the hinge means, means for hingedly connecting the backrest at its lower end to said connecting links, said backrest locking means releasably engaging the upper frame for holding the backrest in a substantially upstanding position.

United States Patent Patterson 51 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] BABY STROLLERS [72]Inventor: David D. Patterson, Seward, Nebr.

[73] Assignee: Herschal F. Gal'han,

Nebr.

[22] Filed: Dec. 4, 1968 [21] Appl. N0.: 810,052

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 599,128, Dec. 5,1966,

Pat. No. 3,421,774.

Rising City,

Smith ..280/36 B Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh AssistantExaminer-Robert R. Song Attorney-John D. Pope, lll

EXEMPLARY CLAIM 1. A collapsible baby stroller comprising a plurality offrames including an upper frame, a front frame and a rear frame, a hingemeans for swingably connecting the upper ends of the front and rearframe to the upper frame in close proximity to one another in such amanner that the frames can be optionally folded from an erected positionwherein the frames are disposed at predetemlined angles with respect toone another to a collapsed position wherein the frames are presented inside-by-side relation, frame locking means for holding the frames in theerected position, a backrest hingedly mounted with respect to theframes, a backrest locking means for releasably holding the backrest ata predetermined angle with respect to the frames, a seat, a supportmeans for holding the seat substantially horizontal when the frames arein the erected position, connecting links interconnecting the front andrear frame in spaced relation to the hinge means, means for hingedlyconnecting the backrestvat its lower end to said connecting links, saidbackrest locking means releasably engaging the upper frame for holdingthe backrest in a substantially upstanding position.

3 Claims, l2 Drawing Figures P'A'IENTEDSEP m! V 3.689.099

SHE 1 0F 3 INVENTOR DAVID D. PA ERSON ATTORNEY PATIENTEU'SEP 1m3.689.099

sum 2 BF 3 INVENTOR DAVID D. PATTERSON ATTORNEY PATENTEB E 5 I9123.689.099

SHEET 3 BF 3 INVENTOR DAVID D. PAIZ SERSON BY QM b.0644

ATTORNEY v BABY STROLLERS This is a division of application Ser. No.599,128, filed Dec. 5, 1966, now U.S. Pat. NO. 3,421,774.

This invention relates to baby strollers and, more particularly, tocollapsible baby strollers.

A number of different types of baby strollers are cur rently beingmarketed and some of these strollers are collapsible to a certain extentto more conveniently enable the user to fit the stoller into restrictedareas such as automobile trunks or hall closets. These baby stollers,however, often incorporate a multitude of lock-type fasteners and otherdevices to achieve this end and these devices are often difficult tomanipulate, requiring considerable time and subjecting the user of thestoller to substantial inconvenience. Moreover, such stollers do notcollapse into a very compact, lightweight package which can beconveniently grasped and carried onto a bus or other vehicle where spaceis at a premium. On the contrary, most of the collapsible baby stollersof current manufacture merely depress into a variety of relativelycompressed configurations which are too long and awkward to carry anyappreciable distance by hand and, furthermore, have numerous protrusionswhich can easily snag clothing, catch on objects, and cause painful cutsand abrasions.

Generally speaking, the present invention relates to a baby strollerhaving front and rear frames which are hingedly connected to an upperframe at the lower extremity of such upper frame. Frame-locking meansare provided for holding the front frame adjacent the upper frame as anextension thereof. Suitable links hold the front and rear frames atpredetermined angles when the stroller is in erected position and abackrest and seat are hingedly secured to such links. Backrest lockingmeans are provided for holding the backrest at a predetermined anglewith respect to the frames. A seat is supported by a handrail located inupwardly spaced relation thereto and the handrail, in turn, is supportedby the backrest and front frame. When it is desired to transform thestroller of the present invention into a compact carrying package, theframe and backrest locking means are released, whereupon the front andupper frames, as well as the backrest, can be folded toward and againstthe rear frame to form a compact carrying package. In a modified form ofthe present invention the frame locking means is actuated as thebackrest folds into the collapsed position.

Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted theprovision of a baby stroller which can be collapsed into a compactpackage for convenient carrying; the provision of a baby stroller of thetype stated which collapses to a carrying package conveniently adaptedfor grasping; the provision of a baby carriage which employs simple andeasily manipulated locking means to hold it in the erect position; theprovision of a baby stroller having a backrest which can be optionallyplaced in a substantially upright position or a reclined position; theprovision of a baby carriage having a canopy which does not obstruct theusers view of the child in the stroller; and the provision of a babystroller which is attractive in appearance, simple and rugged inconstruction, and easy and economical to manufacture. Other objects andfeatures will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafterdescribed, the scope of the invention being indicated in the followingclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which several of various possibleembodiments of the invention are illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baby carriage constructed inaccordance with and embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially broken away andin section, of the baby carriage showing the structural members thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the baby carriage showing the structuralportions thereof, the fabric portions and canopy being omitted;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the baby carriage;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views taken along lines 6-6 and 7-7,respectively, of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the backrest inthe reclined position;

FIGS. 9, l0, and 11 are side elevational views, partially in phantom,sequentially showing the steps of collapsing the baby stroller of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the collapsed baby stroller.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, which illustrate practical embodiments ofthe present invention, 2 designates a baby stroller having an upperframe 4 including tubular side members 6, 8, and a U-shaped tubularhandle 10, telescopically mounted within side members 6, 8. Handle 10includes parallel legs 12, 14, which slidably fit within tubular sidemembers 6, 8, respectively, and are transversely connected at theirupper ends by a gripping portion 16. At their lower ends, legs 12, 14,are provided with outwardly projecting spring-loaded buttons 18 whichengage outwardly facing apertures 20 located intermediate the ends ofthe side members 6, 8, to hold handle 10 in a retracted or so-calledcollapsed position. Similarly, at their upper ends side members 6, 8,are provided with another pair of outwardly facing apertures 22 whichare also adapted to accept spring-loaded buttons 18. When buttons 18engage apertures 22, handle 10 will be in an extended position. The usercan quickly change the position of handle 10 merely by pushing buttons18 inwardly past .the particular set of apertures 20 or 22 through whichthey project and simultaneously pulling or pushing on gripping portion16.

Riveted or otherwise securely fastened to the lower ends of side members6, 8, are hinge brackets 24, 26, respectively, and inasmuch as brackets24, 26, are identical, only hinge bracket 24 will be described herein indetail. As will be seen by reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, hinge bracket 24comprises inner and outer hinge plates 28, 30, each of which arecontoured adjacent their upper margins to conform to the circularperipheral shape of side member 6. Hinge plates 28, 30, includeforwardly presented downwardly projecting locking ears 32 which areprovided with axially aligned opposed apertures 34 in the provision ofcamming surfaces 36. Rearwardly and upwardly from ears 32, plates 28,30, are integrally provided with downwardly projecting spaced parallelhinge tabs 38.

Hingedly secured to upper frame 4 at hinge brackets 24, 26, is a frontframe 40 including spaced parallel side legs 42, 44, which integrallymerge at their lower ends into a transversely extending forward crossmember 46. The upper ends of legs 42, 44, fit between locking ears 32and terminate intermediate hinge tabs 38 of hinge brackets 24, 26, towhich they are swingably secured by means of hinge pins 48. Operativelymounted in the upper ends of each of legs 42, 44, are spring-loadedbuttons 50, 52, which project transversely therefrom and engageapertures 34 of locking cars 32, thereby holding front frame 40 in anerected position wherein legs 42, 44, form parallel extensions of sidemembers 6, 8, respectively. In this connection, it should be noted thatintermediate locking ears 32, the upper. surfaces of legs 42, 44,abutagainst the undersurfaces of side members 6, 8, and therebeyond,that is intermediate locking ears 32 and hinge tabs 38, legs 42, 44, arebowed slightly outwardly so as to provide sufficient clearance forswinging movement with respect to upper frame 4, as best seen in FIG. 2.It is readily apparent from FIG. 1 and the foregoing description thatfront frame 40 can be folded over substantially onto upper frame 4merely by pressing buttons 50, 52, inwardly and simultaneously pivotinglegs 42, 44, with respect to side members 6, 8, about hinge pins 48.Conversely, when it is desired to bring front frame 40 intosubstantially parallel relation with respect to upper frame 4, that isinto an erected position, legs 42, 44, are folded outwardly with respectto side members 6, 8, until buttons 50, 52, engage apertures 34. In thelatter instance, camming surfaces 36 will cam buttons 50, 52, inwardlyagainst the bias of their springs as legs 42, 44, pass between hingeplates 28, 30, of hinge brackets 24, 26.

At the arcuate junctures of legs 42, 44, and cross member 46, frontframe 40 is provided with a pair of forwardly projecting caster brackets54, 56, which carry caster-type .wheel assemblies 58, 60. Inasmuch aswheel assemblies 58, 60, are identical, only wheel assembly 60 will bedescribed herein in detail. Referring now to FIG. 7, wheel assembly 60includes a vertically presented sleeve 62 mounted securely withinbracket 56 in outwardly spaced relation to cross member 46, sleeve 62being provided at its lower end with a downwardly opening bell-shapedend portion 64 having a plurality of ball bearings suitably mountedtherein. Fitted through sleeve 62 is a pintle 66 which downwardlyterminates at a flange 67 on which the ball bearings ride, and rigidlysecured to flange 67 is a fork 68 having spaced parallel furcations 70,which are angulated with respect to pintle 66. Joumaled intermediatefurcations 70, on an axle 74, is a conventional rubber-tired wheel 76.Inasmuch as the axis of axle 74 is presented in ofiset relation to thevertical axis of pintle 666, wheel assembly 60 will always orient itselfin a position wherein axle 74 is to the rear of pintle 66 and normal tothe direction of travel as stroller 2 is pushed along the pavement.Pintle 66 projects upwardly beyond sleeve 62 where it is provided with aspiral spring 82 which also engages sleeve 62 and normally biases wheelassembly 60 to an inwardly facing position wherein wheel 76 issubstantially parallel to cross member 46.

Also hingedly joined to upper frame 4 at hinge brackets 24, 26, is arear frame 90 including spaced parallel legs 92, 94, which, at theirlower ends, arcuate- 1y merge into a transversely extending gear crossmember 96. At their upper ends, legs 92, 94, are journaled to brackets24, 26, intermediate hinge plates 28, 30, by means of hinge pins 98located parallel to and rearwardly from hinge pins 48. Riveted to theunderside of cross member 96 at its arcuate junctures with legs 92, 94,and projecting axially outwardly therefrom beyond the outer margins oflegs 92, 94, are axles 100, 102, having conventional rubber-tired wheels104 rotatably mounted thereon. Fitted over axles 100, 102, at theirlower ends and extending upwardly to legs 92, 94, respectively, wherethey are rigidly affixed at their upper ends, are axle-braces 106, 108,which not only brace axles 100, 102, but also prevent wheels 104 fromriding inwardly thereon.

Interconnecting lets 42 and 92, as will be seen by reference to FIGS. 2,4, and 6, are spaced parallel outer and inner links 110, 112, which arejoumaled thereto by means of pins 114, 116, pin 114 being interposedbetween pin 48 and buttons 50, 52, on leg 42. Similarly interconnectinglegs 44, 94, and being joumaled thereto by means of pins 118, 120,respectively, are outer and inner links 122, 124. Links 110, 112, and122, 124, in close proximity to their respective pins 1 14, 118, areprovided with arcuate cutouts for accommodating buttons 50, 52, whenstroller 2 is in the collapsed position, as best seen in FIG. 1 1.

Hingedly fastened to inner links 112, 124, intermediate their ends, asbest seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, is a backrest 126 including a U-shapedtubular back frame 128 having upstanding legs 130, 132, which arejournaled at their lower ends to inner links 112, 124, by means of pins134, 136. It should be noted that links 112, 124, are bowed slightlyinwardly so that the heads of pins 134, 136, will not interfere withlegs 92, 94, when stroller 2 is collapsed. Moreover, legs 130, 132, arespaced slightly inwardly from links 112, 124, by means of spacer sleeveslocated on pins 134, 136, all as best seen in FIG. 4. Riveted orotherwise securely fastened to the forwardly presented surfaces of backframe 128 is a backrest plate 138 which extends about frame 128 where itis provided with an elongated aperture 140. It should be noted thatbackrest 126 will fold rearwardly on pins 134, 136, into substantiallyparallel side-by-side relation with rear frame 90.

Mounted on the back face of backrest plate 138, as will be seen byreference to FIG. 4, is a lock assembly 142 including two laterallyextending coaxially aligned locking rods 144, 146, which, at their outerends, extend through and are slidably mounted in transversely extendingholes 148, 150, formed in upstanding legs 130, 132, of back frame 128.At their inner ends rods 144, 146, are slidably fitted throughoutwardlyprojecting tabs 152, 154, which are riveted to backrest plate 138 andinwardly beyond tabs 152, 154, rods 144, 146, are bent at approximatelyright angles in the provision of unlocking levers 156, 158, which extendupwardly and terminate in close proximity to elongated aperture 140.Interposed between levers 156, 158, is a U-shaped or other suitablespring 159 having ends which engage levers 156, 158, to urge levers 156,158, and locking rods 144, 146, apart. Levers 156,158, are held in placewith respect to backrest plate 138 by means of a guide member 160 havinginwardly extending opposed notches 162 which slidably receive levers156, 158, to

prevent rods 144, 146, from rotating within tabs 142, 154, and holes148, 150. Guide member 160 outwardly terminates at a lip 166 whichextends over and engages the ends of U-shaped spring 159 to maintainsuch spring in operative engagement with levers 156, 158. Outwardlybeyond legs 130, 132, locking rods 144, 146, project into opposedapertures 168 formed in side members 6, 8, to hold backrest 126 at apredetermined angle with respect to upper frame 4 as well as withrespect to front and rear frames 40, 90, respectively. It

should be noted that the ends of legs 12, 14, of handle are providedwith axially extending elongated cutouts 169 which accommodate theinwardly projecting ends of rods 144, 146, when handle 10 is in thecollapsed position, as best seen in FIG. 2.

Also hingedly connected to inner links 112, 124, as well as to backrest126 at pins 134, 136, is a seat 170 including a seat plate 172 providedalong its side margins with depending side flanges 174, 176, which aresecured to legs 130, 132, of frame 128 at their rear ends by pins 134,136. At their forward ends, flanges 174, 176, merge into depending ears178, each having an inwardly projecting pin 180. Intermediate pins 180and pins 134, 136, flanges 174, 176, are provided with longitudinallyextending slots 182.

Projecting obliquely downwardly in close proximity to the front marginof seat 170 is a legrest 184 integrally including a front plate 186 andside flanges 190, 192, the latter of which are secured to flanges 174,176, of seat 170 by pins 194 which, in turn, are slidably fitted withslots 182. At their upper ends, flanges 190, 192, are provided with aplurality of spaced notches 196 which receive inwardly projecting pins180. In this manner legrest 184 can be held in a plurality of angulatedpositions with respect to seat 170 and can be lifted upwardly untilsubstantially parallel to seat 170 for subsequent insertion under seat170, in which case pins 194 will ride in elongated slots 182 while thebottom margin of flanges 190, 192, will slide on pins 180. Mounted onfront plate 186 and projecting upwardly therefrom in close proximity toflange 190 is a springloaded button 198 which engages an aperture 200located in seat plate 172 when legrest 184 is slid to its fullest extentbeneath seat 170. At its lower or front margin front plate 186 is turnedupwardly in the provision of a lip 202 to which a treadle 204 isjournaled by means of a transversely extending hinge pin 206. Thus,treadle 204 can be folded over toward front plate 196.

Projecting forwardly from backrest 126 in upwardly spaced substantiallyparallel relation to seat 170 is a handrail 208 sized to fit around achilds torso when the child sits on seat 170. Handrail 208 includes sidebars 210, 212, which integrally merge into a front bar 214. Intermediatetheir ends side bars 210, 212, are pivotally connected to links 216,218, which are, in turn, pivotally connected at their lower ends to legs42, 44, of front frame 40 at pins 114. As best seen in FIG. 6, side bars210, 212, are fitted at their rear ends with hinge brackets 220, 222,having downwardly projecting ears 224 which are hingedly secured to legs130, 132, of back frame 128 by means of pins 225. The upper portions ofbrackets 220, 222, are flared outwardly and provided with arcuate slots226 through which locking rods 144, 146, project. Looped over front bar214 and extending downwardly therefrom is a support strap 227 which isriveted to seat plate 172 in close proximity to its front margin forsupport purposes.

Riveted or otherwise rigidly fastened to the inwardly presented surfacesof legs 92, 94, of rear frame are opposed locking tabs 228, each beingoutwardly flared in the provision of a camming surface and each havingan aperture 232 which'registers with and receives the outer ends oflocking rods 144, 146, when backrest 126 is folded rearwardly.

Referring now to FIG. 1, baby stroller 2 is provided with a fabric orother suitable seat liner 238 including a padded back portion mounted onbackrest 126 provided with an upper flap which forms a downwardlyopening pocket into which the upper portion of backrest plate 138extends, the flap being secured thereto by means of a snap 244. Backportion 240 is further provided with an elongated cutout 246 whichregisters with elongated aperture 140 in backrest plate 138. At itslower margin back portion 240 is joined to a padded seat portion 248having fabric side panels 250, 252, which are looped over side bars 210,212, respectively, of handrail 208.

If desired, baby stroller 2 can be provided with a depending bag-likeparcel carrier (not shown) which is preferably riveted or snapped to theupper end of back frame 128.

Removably mounted on upper frame 4 is a buggytype canopy 260 including acanopy frame 262 provided with a U-shaped support rod 264 havingparallel legs 266 located adjacent side members 6, 8. At their lowerends, legs 266 are provided with mounting tabs 268 which extenddownwardly past hinge brackets 24, 26, to which they are secured bymeans of thumb screws which engage nuts welded to outer hinge plates 30.Near their upper ends, legs 266 are provided with resilient retentionears 272 which frictionally engage the outwardly presented surfaces ofside members 6, 8, to hold support rod 264 in juxtaposition to sidemembers 6, 8. Pivotally secured to legs 266 are a plurality of U-shapedcanopy stays 276 and secured thereto, as well as to support rod 264, isa canopy cover 278 having a transparent plastic panel or window 280located intermediate the bight portions of two of stays 276. Thisenables the user to look down and observe the child from his or herposition behind stroller 2. If desired, a plurality of transverselyextending depending panels can be secured to canopy cover 278immediately below window 280 so as to block direct rays of the sun andlessen the chance of such rays striking the child. Canopy 260 can befolded into a compact configuration against upper frame 4, and, ifdesired, it can be removed altogether from stroller 2 by unscrewing thethumb screws.

Canopy 260 and seat liner 238 have been omitted from all but one of thefigures so as to not obscure the various structural elements of stroller2.

When the user desires to board a bus, enter an automobile or otherwisebring stroller 2 into a somewhat restricted area, stroller 2 can beeasily and simply transformed into a highly compact carrying package bythe manipulation of a minimum number of locking devices and structuralelements as best seen in FIGS. 9 through 11. At the outset,spring-loaded buttons 18 are pushed inwardly through apertures 22 and atthe same time gripping portion 16 of handle 10 is urged toward sidemembers 6, 8, whereupon legs 12, 14, will slide telescopically intotubular side members 6, 8, until buttons 18 come to apertures 20 atwhich point they will spring outwardly and lock handle in a collapsedposition. It should be noted that axially extending cutouts 169 willreceive the inwardly projecting outer end of locking rods 144, 146, sothat such rods do not obstruct the axial movement of legs 12, 14. Nexttreadle 204 is swung over toward the face of front plate 186 and legrest184 is lifted upwardly out of notches 196 until it is substantiallyparallel to seat 170, whereupon it is slid rearwardly untilspring-loaded button 198 engages aperture 200 in seat plate 172, therebylocking legrest 184 to seat 170. In this position treadle 204 will bedisposed over front plate 186, all as best seen in FIG. 9.

The user thereafter squeezes locking levers 156, 158, together againstthe bias of spring 159, thereby withdrawing the ends of locking rods144, 146, from apertures 168 in side members 6, 8, and from arcuateslots 226 located in hinge brackets 220, 222. This permits backrest 126to be swung downwardly into close proximity to and in overlying relationwith rear frame 90. At the same time handrail 208 will move into closeproximity to and substantially parallel with backrest 126 by virtue ofthe configuration and location of the pivotal connections formed bylinks 216, 218, and hinge brackets 220, 222. Support strap 227 will drawseat 170 upwardly as handrail 208 moves into a collapsed position sothat it forms a continuation of collapsed backrest 126. At thisjuncture, however, it should be noted that the ends of locking rods 144,146, are not brought into engagement with apertures 232 of locking tabs228.

Subsequently buttons 50, 52, are pressed inwardly into their respectiveapertures 34 and front frame 40 is simultaneously folded toward upperand rear frames 4, 90, as best seen in FIG. 10. This can best beaccomplished by grasping stroller 2 at hinge brackets 24, 26, lifting ituntil wheels 76 are off the ground, and then pushing buttons 50, 52,inwardly. When buttons 50, 52, clear their respective apertures 34 theweight of the suspended front frame 40 will cause it to swingdownwardly, free from locking ears 32. Inasmuch as legs 42, 92, areconnected by links 110, 112, and legs 44, 94, are connected by pins 114,116, and further in view of the locations of hinge pins 48, 114, onhinge brackets 24, 26, upper frame 4 at the same time will swing towardrear frame 90 and collapsed backrest 126 located adjacent thereto. Whenupper frame 4 approaches backrest 126 the latter is lifted slightly awayfrom rear frame 90 so that gripping portion 16 of handle 10 will passbeyond the upper or outer margin of backrest plate 138. This permitsside members 6, 8, of upper frame 4 to come into juxtaposition with legs92, 94, respectively, of rear frame 90. When backrest 126 is folded backtoward rear frame 90 the rear face of backrest plate 138 will engagegripping portion 16 of handle 10 and thereby hold upper frame 4 againstrear frame 90 as illustrated in FIG. 1 1. When a slight force is appliedto backrest 126 the ends of locking rods 144, 146, engage the cammingsurfaces of locking tabs 228 thereby urging or camming rods 144, 146,axially inwardly until they come to apertures 232, whereupon they willspring outwardly and by engaging such apertures secure backrest 126 torear frame 90 in a side-by- 8 side substantially flat configuration.Links 110, 112, and 122, 124, will hold legs 92, 42, and 94, 44,adjacent one another so that front frame 40 is also locked inside-by-side relation with respect to rear frame 90. As previouslynoted, in that position, that is in the fully collapsed position,arcuate cutouts of links 110,

112, and 122, 124, will accommodate buttons 50, 52, and will not inhibitthe folding of stroller 2. It should be noted that seat liner 238 andcanopy 260 have been omitted from FIGS. 9 through 11 so as not toobscure the positions of the various structural elements during thevarious collapsing steps. It should be understood, however, that neitherseat liner 238 nor canopy need be removed in order to collapse stroller2, for the former will fold with the structural elements and the latterwill merely lie against upper frame 4. Neither will impede thetransformation of stroller 2 into a collapsed configuration.

When completely collapsed the user can insert his hand throughregistered elongated cutout 246 and aperture 140 of seat linear 238 andbackrest 126, respectively, and carry stroller 2 onto a bus or into someother confined area. Moreover, it is possible to provide stroller 2 witha wrist strap 282 located adjacent elongated aperture 140 as a means formore conveniently carrying stroller 2, as best seen in FIG. 12.

Also it is possible to fit collapsed stroller 2 into a carrying case 284having a shoulder strap 286 whereby collapsed stroller 2 can be carriedin an over-theshoulder arrangement freeing both of the users hands forother chores.

When the user again desires to use stroller 2 it can be quickly erected,simply by following the steps heretofore described in reverse order. Theuser reaches down, grasps levers 156, 158, between his fingers andsqueezes them together until backrest 126 swings free of rear frame 90.Thereafter from frame 40 and upper frame 4 are grasped and swung awayfrom rear frame 90 until buttons 50, 52, are cammed inwardly by cammingsurfaces 36 and subsequently spring outwardly into engagement withapertures 34 of locking ears 32. In this position frames 4, 40, and 90,will all be locked at predetermined angles with respect to one another.Thereafter, locking levers 156, 158, are again grasped and squeezedtoward one another while backrest 126 is raised. Levers 156, 158, caneither be released when the ends of locking rods 144, 146, register withthe rear ends of arcuate slots 226 of brackets 220, 222, or when theends of the rods register with opposed apertures 168 in side members 6,8. In the former instance backrest 126 will be in a slightly reclinedposition as illustrated in FIG. 8 which is more suitable for naps thanthe fully erected position. lt should be noted that hinge brackets 220,222, if desired, can be provided with a plurality of arcuately spacedapertures in lieu of arcuate slots 226 so that backrest 126 can beoptionally locked in a plurality of reclined positions.

Finally, button 198 is depressed beyond aperture 200 while legrest 184is pulled outwardly the desired distance. Legrest 184 is subsequentlylowered until one pair of notches 196 engages inwardly projectingopposed pins and treadle 104 is swung upwardly to receive the soles ofthe childs feet.

It is apparent from the foregoing that stroller 2 collapses into ahighly compact, easy to carry, package, and the transformation from theerected position to the collapsed position or vice-versa is easilyachieved merely by the manipulation of a few buttons and hingedstructural members. When in the collapsed position, stroller 2 can becarried in a manner similar to a conventional shopping bag.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible baby stroller comprising a plurality of framesincluding an upper frame, a front frame and a rear frame, a hinge meansfor swingably connection the upper ends of the front and rear frame tothe upper frame in close proximity to one another in such a manner thatthe frames can be optionally folded form an erected position wherein theframes are disposed at predetermined angles with respect to one anotherto a collapsed position wherein the frames are presented in aside-by-side relation, frame locking means for holding the frames in theerected position, a backrest hingedly mounted with respect to theframes, a backrest locking means for releasably holding the backrest ata predetermined angle with respect to the frames, a seat, a supportmeans for holding the seat substantially horizontal when the frames arein the erected position, connecting links interconnecting the front andrear frame in spaced relation to the hinge means, means for hingedlyconnecting the backrest at its lower end to said connecting links, saidbackrest locking means releasably engaging the upper frame for holdingthe backrest in a substantially upstanding position.

2. A baby stroller according to claim 1 and further characterized by ahinge bracket interposed between the handrail and backrest for hingedlysecuring the handrail to the backrest, the backrest locking means beingadapted to engage the hinge bracket when the frames are in the erectedposition and hold the backrest in a reclined position which is moreinclined than the substantially upstanding position.

3 A baby stroller according to claim 1 and further characterized by acanopy comprising a canopy frame attached to at least one of the frames,a canopy cover fitted over the canopy frame and disposed in upwardlyspaced relation to the seat portion, and a transparent member fittedinto the canopy cover so that a child ridand to the rear of thestroller.

1. A collapsible baby stroller comprising a plurality of framesincluding an upper frame, a front frame and a rear frame, a hinge meansfor swingably connection the upper ends of the front and rear frame tothe upper frame in close proximity to one another in such a manner thatthe frames can be optionally folded form an erected position wherein theframes are disposed at predetermined angles with respect to one anotherto a collapsed position wherein the frames are presented in aside-by-side relation, frame locking means for holding the frames in theerected position, a backrest hingedly mounted with respect to theframes, a backrest locking means for releasably holding the backrest ata predetermined angle with respect to the frames, a seat, a supportmeans for holding the seat substantially horizontal when the frames arein the erected position, connecting links interconnecting the front andrear frame in spaced relation to the hinge means, means for hingedlyconnecting the backrest at its lower end to said connecting links, saidbackrest locking means releasably engaging the upper frame for holdingthe backrest in a substantially upstanding position.
 2. A baby strolleraccording to claim 1 and further characterized by a hinge bracketinterposed between the handrail and backrest for hingedly securing thehandrail to the backrest, the backrest locking means being adapted toengage the hinge bracket when the frames are in the erected position andhold the backrest in a reclined position which is more inclined than thesubstantially upstanding position.
 3. A baby stroller according to claim1 and further characterized by a canopy comprising a canopy frameattached to at least one of the frames, a canopy cover fitted over thecanopy frame and disposed in upwardly spaced relation to the seatportion, and a transparent member fitted into the canopy cover so that achild riding on the seat can be observed from a position above and tothe rear of the stroller.